PRiSM 2.0 – Housing design app to encourage uptake of MMC
‘PRiSM 2.0’ is a digital app to help homebuilders to easily assess the viability of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) on housing schemes in London. An initial version of PRiSM was launched last year and the Mayor has recently released a new version of the app to accelerate the construction of high-quality homes built using MMC.
PRiSM 2.0 is free-to-use, open-source and browser-based. You don’t need to be an architect to use it.
The Mayor has helped create the tool as part of his commitment to achieving ambitious housebuilding targets, in recognition that traditional construction methods alone will not solve London’s housing crisis and given the importance of innovation to get London building after COVID-19.
Who is Prism for?
Anyone can use PRiSM 2.0. You don’t need to have much specialist knowledge to use it, so if you’re working at a housing association, a local authority, or a developer working with an architect or other advisers, the app can help you.
What does PRISM do?
The app is a practical resource which can help test the viability of, and plan for, using MMC systems. It embeds London housing design standards, planning data and manufacturing rules to empower organisations to rapidly design optimised MMC solutions. From as early as potential site identification stage, it is easy to configure buildings and pre-manufactured housing suitability, whilst retaining flexibility in the housing design.
In practical terms, the app allows the user to plot a building outline on a map, inputting information such as desired number of different sized units, floor height, and building typologies. The in-built logic then optimises the layout of units and internal apartment layouts for precision manufactured methods (e.g. by standardising room sizes and aligning wall partitions which play a significant role in optimally designing for volumetric or panellised systems).
What are the new features?
Following the initial launch of PRiSM in June 2019, the Mayor commissioned Bryden Wood and Cast to improve the app.
New features include:
- A larger pattern book of housing types to allow for greater design flexibility, including new housing typologies and apartment layouts;
- Numerous new data sets about the surrounding areas, including local amenities and land classifications.
How can I access the app?
You can access the app on the prism website.
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